The Chinese Zodiac (or Sheng Xiao in Chinese) is an important factor to the Chinese culture. It is based on a twelve year cycle, each year is related to an animal sign. These animal signs are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. It is calculated according to Chinese lunar calendar .
Each animal is known to have certain characteristics that a person born under the sign would demonstrate. The year a person is born determines their animal sign. For example, a person’s animal sign is a rat if they were born in the year of the rat.
People in China believe some predictions and “superstitions” that are described within the Chinese zodiac. For example, when looking for their mates, people will consider if the other`s zodiac sign is compatible with their own. The Chinese zodiac plays an interesting role in influencing the culture and community of China.
The Chinese believe that people born in a particular year take on the characteristics of the animal associated with that year. Below are zodiac sign with the years and the characteristcs.
Rat: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Positive traits: Intelligent, charming, social and forthright. Negative traits: selfishness, ruthlessness and intolerance.
Ox: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Positive: Sturdy, hardworking and dependable. Negative: stubborn and rigid at times.
Tiger: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Positive: exude power and passion, and embrace impulsive decisions while stimulating others to action. Negative: Recklessness, foolishness and selfishness can also show up in Tigers.
Rabbit: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Positive: Friendly, artistic, compassionate and thorough. Negative: Laziness, self-indulgence and moodiness in Rabbits as well.
Rabbit: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Positive: With decisive personalities and generous and loyal tendencies. Negative : Violent, brash, demanding and arrogant.
Snake: 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Positive: Full of wisdom, caution, strength and purpose. Negative: include self-doubts, eccentricities and loneliness.
Horse: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Positive: Agile, witty, perceptive and cheerful. Negative: gullible, stubborn, anxious and even rude.
Goat: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Positive: Creative and artistic tendencies, paired with sincerity, sympathy and determination. Negative: Worry, pessimism and indecisiveness.
Goat: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Positive: Sociable, intellectual and self-assured. Negative: Deceptive, manipulative and jealous.
Rooster: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
Positive: Decisive, practical and organized. Negative: Egotism and abrasiveness.
Dog: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
Positive: Loyal, moralistic and affectionate, Negative: Judgmental, cynical, quarrelsome and fretful.
Pig: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
Positive: Patience, loyalty, sincerity, thoughtfulness and intelligence. Negative: Gullibility, materialism and naiveté.
